As we approach the 2024 Senate elections in Pennsylvania, it is essential that we rally behind the Democratic candidate who has proven his commitment to the people of the state time and time again. That candidate is none other than Bob Casey.

Bob Casey has been a strong voice for the people of Pennsylvania since he was first elected to the Senate in 2006. He has fought tirelessly to protect the rights of working families, support small businesses, and promote economic growth across the state. He has been a champion of healthcare reform, advocating for accessible and affordable healthcare for all Pennsylvanians.

Throughout his years in the Senate, Bob Casey has consistently prioritized the needs of his constituents over partisan politics. He has worked across the aisle to find common ground and pass legislation that benefits the people of Pennsylvania. He has also been a vocal advocate for women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and civil rights.

As we look towards the future, it is crucial that we have leaders like Bob Casey in the Senate. He has proven time and time again that he has the experience, dedication, and passion to fight for the people of Pennsylvania and make a real difference in their lives.

So, let's come together and
show our support for Bob Casey as he runs for Senate in 2024. Together, we can
ensure that our voices are heard and that Pennsylvania continues to have a
strong and effective leader in the Senate.

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January 30, 2024

Casey, Fetterman Continue Push to Hold Norfolk Southern Accountable to Pennsylvanians After Company Starts Process of Joining Close Call Reporting System

Company joins limited pilot program covering workers in select other states, Senators push Norfolk Southern to include Pennsylvania Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) today continued their push to hold Norfolk Southern accountable after the company announced that it would take steps towards joining the Federal Railroad Administration’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), a program that allows employees to anonymously report near-misses or close calls on railroads when they see them and protects employees from retribution when they report these events. In August, Sens. Casey and Fetterman sent a letter to Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw regarding the company’s continued failure to join the program, after Norfolk Southern previously said they would join shortly after the derailment affecting East Palestine, OH and Darlington Township, PA. As Norfolk Southern announced that the pilot program they negotiated will only cover approximately 1,000 workers represented by two unions in Georgia, Indiana, and Virginia, the Pennsylvania Senators pushed Norfolk Southern to fully follow through on its commitment and include all Norfolk Southern workers in Pennsylvania as well.  “While the announcement that Norfolk Southern will finally begin to join this critical reporting system at our urging is a good first step, the company now needs to expand the group to include Pennsylvania workers and support the Railway Safety Act to do right by its workers and our Nation’s rail communities. With families in Darlington still hurting from last year’s derailment, we must do more to support communities suffering from the reckless failures of big rail companies and prevent Pennsylvanians from ever having to go through this hell again,” said Senator Casey. “Nearly one year after the train derailment in East Palestine, Norfolk Southern finally took our advice and began the process of joining the Federal Railroad Administration’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System. This is a positive step, but the fact that they haven’t committed to covering all workers in Pennsylvania – one of the two states most deeply affected by the toxic derailment a year ago – is just not enough. We need rail companies to implement these safety measures nationwide, and before a derailment, not after. Now, let’s pass the Railway Safety Act and make sure we hold these companies accountable,” said Senator Fetterman. Calling for Norfolk Southern to join C3RS was just one action that Sens. Casey and Fetterman have taken to push for accountability from Norfolk Southern and stand up for local residents affected by the toxic derailment. Last year, Casey visited Darlington Township to push for rail safety bills and hear from local residents while Sen. Fetterman held a roundtable with local farmers in Darlington Township affected by the derailment. Previously, Sens. Casey and Fetterman wrote to Shaw about the company’s legal and moral obligation to the residents of East Palestine and Darlington Township, demanding answers on how the company plans to be an active member of response and clean-up operations. They pressed the Environmental Protection Agency on its plan to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for releasing hazardous materials into the air and water. They wrote to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to share rail safety concerns they have heard from constituents, rail experts, and railroad workers as NTSB conducts its investigation into the derailment.?And finally, they worked with Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA) to urge Norfolk Southern to provide assistance to Pennsylvanians in Darlington Township after repeated reports that Pennsylvania residents were being turned away at the Family Assistance Center in East Palestine. The Pennsylvania Senators also joined with Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and J.D. Vance (R-OH) to introduce the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 which would take much needed steps to improve rail safety protocols and prevent future train disasters like the derailment that devastated East Palestine and Darlington Township. The bill will take key steps to improve rail safety protocols, such as enhancing safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, establishing requirements for wayside defect detectors, creating a permanent requirement for railroads to operate with at least two-person crews, increasing fines for wrongdoing committed by rail carriers, and more.

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